StephensEnglish10-2009-2010

M A C B E T H William Shakespeare
Macbeth Reflections
Andrew W. Yoon

Assignment 1
1.3 read and underline any words, phrases, or ideas you don't understand

Define 10 of the underlined words by using the glossary in your Macbeth text or look them up
- write a very short (one or two words) definition above the underlined word
Paraphrase at least 5 lines that you underlined, meaning - write them in your own words

On your Macbeth Reflections wiki page please do the following

IN YOUR OWN WORDS describe what we learn about the following characters from 1.3 (at least a sentence).
- Witches - The Three Witches are the first to come out in the section. They are women-like-beings that 'unable us to believe so' with there beards. They are crippled old people that prophesies Macbeth and Banquo about their noble future. 'All hail King Macbeth!'
- Macbeth - Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis currently, and soon to be the Thane of Cawdor. And according to the prophesies by the Three Witches, a Scot King-to-be. Based on this seen, we see that he hears the prophesies from the Witches that he will soon be Thane of Cawdor and ultimately the King of the Scots in the end. He does not believe this and thinks of them as rubbish. But as he becomes the Thane of Cawdor just like the Witches said, he is slightly convinced that he might be the future king of Scotland, and to become one, he might have to overthrow the currently reigning king.
- Banquo - Banquo is no less good of a man than Macbeth, although the prophesy given by the Witches isn't so great. He will not become a king like Macbeth. In this section, we learn that Banquo is a very ambitious man, seeking for a brighter, better future. Unlike Macbeth whom doubted the Witches, after seeing Macbeth's prophecy being true, Banquo is more eager about his own prophesy and enquires the Witches for guidance.
- Ross - A much similar character with Angus. He is too the messenger of the King.
- Angus - He is the faithful servant of the king. He is a messenger in this section. And he certainly dislikes disloyalty, as stated in the story how he condemns the currently ruling Thane of Cawdor about his treason towards the crown along with the Norweyans.
Out line the major plot events in 1.3 - What happens?
- There is a huge thunder and the Witches (three) appear. And they chat.
- Macbeth and Banquo also appeares and the Witches tell them their prophecies.
- The Witches are gone. Macbeth and Banquo, left clueless and baffled.
- Angus and Ross arrive to deliver the message from the king that Macbeth is to become the Thane of Cawdor.
- The Witches' prophecies were true.
Explain the conflicts introduced in 1.3.
- The Witches' prophecy caused confusion and disorder for both Macbeth and Banquo. Although. Macbeth's prophecy is better than Banquo's, causing conflict and jealousy.
- Based on the prophecy, Macbeth is soon to be Thane of Cawdor. Which ends up being true, but he had to kill the Thane to become one.
- Now proved that the prophecies were true, Macbeth is concerned about his next prophecy. Which is will now become King of Scotland.
- And just like becoming the Thane of Cawdor, he is afraid is blood will be spilt during the procedure--treason.

Assignment 2
Read Macbeth 1.5 and 1.6 and answer the following pages on your "Macbeth Reflection" wiki page

What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
- She is Macbeth's wife. She is an extremely ambitious woman who seeks for power. She is like one of those hard core Korean mums that are obsessed with their children's education. Lady Macbeth is obsessed in trying to make Macbeth a King. She is the one that nudges Macbeth to become a King, and in doing so kill Duncan.
How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
- "The meaning of life is to gain ultimate power. It to be on top of everything else in the world. See Scene 1, Act 6, line 16 for textual evidence. She is a women of ambition. She would do anything, even kill to become what she wants to be. Hence, in the perspective of Lady Macbeth, the meaning of life would be to consume everything, and do anything necessary to become the top of the world.
Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
- " ...unsex me here And fill me from the crown to the top-fill Of direct cruelty! Make thick my blood; Stop up th'access and passage to remorse..." This segment of the passage from Scene 1, Act 5 Line 42 is a particularly shocking line said my Lady Macbeth because of the extreme word choices. A woman asking to 'thicken' her blood cannot be sane. She's got to be a demon. 'Unsex me here', too is a striking line, for she is declaring her willingness to execute the murder even if it takes to abandon her femaleness. She is literally blinded by her lust for power and blood.
- "...What cannot you and I perform upon Th'unguarded Duncan? What not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell?" This line is also an extremely disgusting, lustful line delivered by Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 7 Line 70. Normally, people feel a certain sense of guilty and uncomfortableness when killing an innocent old man. But here, Lady Macbeth doesn't feel the slightest self-reproach but also willing to blame other innocent people (the guards) for her crime. She really disappoints me in these line, by proving her to be a total human rubbish.
Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.
- sightless
  - Denotation: adj. unable to see; blind. (Oxford American Dictionary)
    - poetic / literary: invisible.
  - Connotation: The helplessness of Duncan and all others. Lady Macbeth's confidence in success of the murder, that all others including Duncan can might as well be blind for there is nothing they can do to stop her. They will kill Duncan in his sleep, therefore he is blind, they will kill the guards when they are unconscious and drunk, therefore they are also blind.

Assignment 3
1.7 prepare a graded discussion on the following question: "Why has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act 1?"

Have evidence of preparation to show your HW (you decided what 'evidence of preparation' looks like and post it on your Macbeth Reflections wiki page)
- His wife urges him to kill Duncan and become king.
- Deep inside him, he is in a way enthusiastic.
- The prophecy of the Witches, that Macbeth will soon be thane and eventually king, gives him courage. (Act 1, Scene 3 - end)
- Macbeth's ascend to the thane-ship (?) of Cawdor after defeating the original one gives him motivation and confidence that he will become king just as the prophecy said. (Act 1, Scene 4 - end)
- Lady Macbeth constantly urges and persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan. (Act 1, Scene 7 Line 48 - 79)
- Lady Macbeth persuades him very effectively, explaining the plan thoroughly. (Act 1, Scene 7 Line 73 - 75
Before the discussion: What is your answer to the question?
- Lady Macbeth's good skills in coercion really helped Macbeth make his final choice in killing Duncan.
After the discussion: Has you answer changed as a result of the discussion? Why or why not?

Assignment 4
1. Read Macbeth Act 2
2. On your "Macbeth Reflections" page answer the following two questions in your own words, using at least on piece of textual evidence per response:

How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?
How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?

Assignment 5
2. Read 3.5 and 3.6 and post

Write a one sentence summary of each scene.
In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth?

3. Reread 4.1

What does Macbeth want in this scene?
What stands in his way?
How does Macbeth attempt to overcome the obstacles in his way?
What do the Witches want in this scene?

Assignment 6
1. Read Act 5 - Yes, the whole thing

On your Macbeth Reflections wiki page complete the following:
- (if you are a MALE answer the following question) How has Macbeth transformed by the end of the play?
  - Find two pieces of textual evidence from Act 5 to support your ideas.
  - Write a paragraph to explain each piece of textual evidence.

Assignment 7
1. On your Macbeth Reflections page, answer the following questions. Provide at least one piece of textual evidence for each answer. (This assignment will provide some ideas for the final paper.)

What is the main idea of the story?
What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.

MR Andrew